U.S. patent application number 15/913287 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-12 for biopsy sample container.
This patent application is currently assigned to OLYMPUS CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is OLYMPUS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Seiji KONDO, Kazutaka NISHIKAWA.
Application Number | 20180193830 15/913287 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58386303 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180193830 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NISHIKAWA; Kazutaka ; et
al. |
July 12, 2018 |
BIOPSY SAMPLE CONTAINER
Abstract
A biopsy sample container according to the present disclosure
includes: a sample containing section capable of containing a
biological sample, a reagent containing section capable of
containing a reagent, a sealing layer that separates the reagent
containing section and the sample containing section from each
other in a liquid-tight state, a seal-breaking section that is
movable relative to the sealing layer and that moves relative
thereto so as to form a through-hole in the sealing layer, and a
resealing section that closes the through-hole formed by the
seal-breaking section.
Inventors: |
NISHIKAWA; Kazutaka; (Tokyo,
JP) ; KONDO; Seiji; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OLYMPUS CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
58386303 |
Appl. No.: |
15/913287 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2015/076844 |
Sep 24, 2015 |
|
|
|
15913287 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01L 2200/16 20130101;
B01L 3/523 20130101; B01L 2300/047 20130101; B01L 2400/0683
20130101; B01L 3/508 20130101; B01L 2300/042 20130101; B01L
2300/0672 20130101; B01L 2300/044 20130101; B01L 3/502
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B01L 3/00 20060101
B01L003/00 |
Claims
1. A biopsy sample container comprising: a sample containing
section capable of containing a biological sample; a reagent
containing section capable of containing a reagent; a sealing layer
that separates the reagent containing section and the sample
containing section from each other in a liquid-tight state; a
seal-breaking section that is movable relative to the sealing layer
and that forms a through-hole in the sealing layer by movement
relative to the sealing layer; and a resealing section that closes
the through-hole formed by the seal-breaking section.
2. The biopsy sample container according to claim 1, wherein the
reagent containing section is provided in a first container having
an opening sealed by the sealing layer, wherein the sample
containing section is provided in a second container having the
seal-breaking section and the resealing section, and wherein the
second container and the first container are connectable in a
relatively movable manner.
3. The biopsy sample container according to claim 2, wherein the
sealing layer is a film member disposed so as to close the opening
of the first container, wherein the seal-breaking section is a
protrusion capable of piercing the film member, and wherein the
resealing section is a contact member that is brought into close
contact with a surface of the film member throughout the entire
periphery surrounding the through-hole.
4. The biopsy sample container according to claim 1, wherein the
seal-breaking section includes a pointed end that forms the
through-hole in the sealing layer and a recess that is disposed
closer to a proximal end relative to the pointed end and that is
depressed in a direction intersecting a direction in which the
seal-breaking section moves relative to the sealing layer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation Application of International
Application No. PCT/JP2015/076844 filed on Sep. 24, 2015, the
content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to biopsy sample
containers.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] A known biopsy sample container contains a biological sample
within a first container having an opening at one end thereof and
contains a reagent within a second container sealed by means of a
pierceable film. When connecting the two containers together, the
film is pierced by means of a protrusion provided in the first
container so that the reagent within the second container can be
fed to the biological sample within the first container (for
example, see PCT International Publication No. WO 2008/152980).
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004] An aspect of the present disclosure is a biopsy sample
container including: a sample containing section capable of
containing a biological sample; a reagent containing section
capable of containing a reagent; a sealing layer that separates the
reagent containing section and the sample containing section from
each other in a liquid-tight state; a seal-breaking section that
forms a through-hole in the sealing layer by movement relative to
the sealing layer; and a resealing section that closes the
through-hole formed by the seal-breaking section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where
a reagent containing section and a sample containing section are
separated from each other in a biopsy sample container according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the
biopsy sample container in FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where
a through-hole is formed in a film member by means of a protrusion
of the biopsy sample container in FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the biopsy
sample container in FIG. 3.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where
a reagent is flowing through the through-hole formed in the film
member of the biopsy sample container in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 6A is a partially enlarged view illustrating a
modification of the protrusion of the biopsy sample container in
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 6B is a partially enlarged view illustrating a state
where a through-hole is formed in the film member by means of the
protrusion in FIG. 6A.
[0012] FIG. 6C is a partially enlarged view illustrating a state
where the through-hole formed in FIG. 6B is closed by a
plate-shaped section.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view illustrating an example
where a seal member is disposed in the plate-shaped section of the
biopsy sample container in FIG. 6A.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a
modification of the protrusion of the biopsy sample container in
FIG. 6A.
[0015] FIG. 9A is a vertical sectional view illustrating a
modification of the biopsy sample container in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 9B is a vertical sectional view illustrating a state
where a through-hole is formed in the film member by means of the
protrusion of the biopsy sample container in FIG. 9A.
[0017] FIG. 9C is a vertical sectional view illustrating a state
where the through-hole formed in FIG. 9B is closed by a flat
surface section.
[0018] FIG. 10A is a vertical sectional view illustrating another
modification of the biopsy sample container in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 10B is a vertical sectional view illustrating a state
where a through-hole is formed in the film member by means of the
protrusion of the biopsy sample container in FIG. 10A.
[0020] FIG. 10C is a vertical sectional view illustrating a state
where the through-hole formed in FIG. 10B is closed by the flat
surface section.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT
[0021] A biopsy sample container 1 according to an embodiment of
the present invention will be described below with reference to the
drawings.
[0022] Before proceeding with the description of the embodiment, a
biological sample A may include any material derived from a
biological organism and may refer to, for example, solid samples
such as excrement, nails, hair, or tissues, or liquid samples such
as blood, sputum, saliva, or urine. A reagent B may be an organic
solvent or a solution containing an organic solvent. The organic
solvent used may be, for example, phenol or chloroform. It is more
preferable to employ a reagent B containing a water-soluble organic
solvent as an active ingredient.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the biopsy sample container 1
according to this embodiment includes a sample container (second
container) 2 having a sample containing section 2a that contains
the biological sample A and a reagent container (first container) 3
having a reagent containing section 3a that contains the reagent
B.
[0024] The sample container 2 is a bottomed cylinder with one end
of which has an opening 2b and the other end of which is closed by
a base 2c.
[0025] A male thread 2d is formed on the outer peripheral surface
near the opening 2b of the sample container 2. A ring-shaped member
5 having a protrusion 4 is fixed to the end at the opening 2b side
of the sample container 2. The ring-shaped member 5 includes a
plate-shaped section (contact member, resealing section) 6
protruding radially inward and extending in the axial direction.
One surface of the plate-shaped section 6 is provided with the
protrusion (seal-breaking section) 4. The protrusion 4 gradually
tapers from the plate-shaped section 6 toward a pointed end 4a.
[0026] A seal member 8, such as an O-ring, is disposed on the outer
peripheral surface of the ring-shaped member 5 so as to seal the
gap between the outer peripheral surface and the inner surface of a
cap member 7, which will be described below.
[0027] The reagent container 3 is integrally provided with the cap
member 7, which is cylindrical, so as to protrude inward in the
axial direction from an end surface of the cap member 7 having a
female thread 7a to be fastened to the male thread 2d of the sample
container 2. A surface of the reagent container 3 extending in the
axial direction is provided with an opening 3b. The opening 3b is
closed in a liquid-tight state by a thin film member (sealing
layer) 9. Accordingly, the reagent B contained within the reagent
container 3 is maintained in the contained state within the reagent
container 3 unless the film member 9 breaks.
[0028] By using the cap member 7 provided with the reagent
container 3 to cover so as to close the opening 2b of the sample
container 2, the reagent container 3 is inserted into the sample
container 2. Thus, the protrusion 4 provided on the plate-shaped
section 6 of the ring-shaped member 5 is disposed at a position
where it opposes, in the circumferential direction, the film member
9 closing the opening 3b of the reagent container 3.
[0029] Furthermore, the gap between the inner surface of the cap
member 7 and the outer surface of the ring-shaped member 5 is
hermetically sealed by the seal member 8 interposed therebetween,
so that the opening 2b of the sample container 2 is hermetically
sealed to the outside.
[0030] When the female thread 7a of the cap member 7 is fastened to
the male thread 2d of the sample container 2 in this state, the cap
member 7 is rotated relative to the sample container 2 about the
axis of the sample container 2.
[0031] Because the ring-shaped member 5 is fixed to the sample
container 2, the reagent container 3 provided integrally with the
cap member 7 moves in the circumferential direction when the cap
member 7 is rotated relative to the sample container 2, thus
causing the protrusion 4 to move closer toward the film member 9.
Consequently, as the cap member 7 is rotated relative to the sample
container 2, the protrusion 4 comes into contact with the film
member 9 and forms a through-hole 10 therein.
[0032] As the cap member 7 is further rotated relative to the
sample container 2 from the state where the through-hole 10 is
formed, the plate-shaped section 6 disposed at the root of the
protrusion 4 is brought into close contact with the surface of the
film member 9.
[0033] Moreover, the cap member 7 is provided with a supply hole 11
for supplying the biological sample A into the sample container 2
in the state where the opening 2b is closed by the cap member 7.
For example, the supply hole 11 has a diameter that allows an
injection needle of a syringe containing the biological sample A to
penetrate therethrough.
[0034] Furthermore, the ring-shaped member 5 is provided with a
closing plate 12 that closes the supply hole 11 at the time when
the protrusion 4 penetrates the film member 9. The closing plate 12
has the shape of a flat plate that protrudes radially inward from
near an end of the ring-shaped member 5. The cap member 7 is
rotated relative to the sample container 2 so as to close the
supply hole 11 near a relative position where the protrusion 4
reaches the film member 9, thereby shutting off the sample
container 2 in a sealed state from the outside.
[0035] The operation of the biopsy sample container 1 according to
this embodiment having the above-described configuration will be
described below.
[0036] In order to mix the biological sample A and the reagent B
using the biopsy sample container 1 according to this embodiment,
the reagent B is contained within the reagent containing section 3a
of the reagent container 3 provided in the cap member 7, and the
opening 3b is sealed by using the film member 9. By using the cap
member 7 in this state, the opening 2b of the sample container 2 is
closed.
[0037] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the cap member 7 is used
to keep the sample container 2 in a sealed state by engaging a part
of the female thread 7a of the cap member 7 with a part of the male
thread 2d of the sample container 2. In this state, as shown in
FIG. 1, the protrusion 4 and the film member 9 are disposed at
positions separated from each other in the circumferential
direction.
[0038] The biological sample A is fed into the sample container 2
in the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 via the supply hole 11 of the
cap member 7. Because the supply hole 11 is open, the biological
sample A can be readily contained within the sample containing
section 2a of the sample container 2.
[0039] In this state, an operator rotates the cap member 7 relative
to the sample container 2 about the axis of the sample container 2.
This causes the female thread 7a of the cap member 7 to be further
fastened to the male thread 2d of the sample container 2 so that
the cap member 7 is brought close to be drawn in the axial
direction with respect to the sample container 2. Moreover, the
reagent container 3 provided in the cap member 7 is moved in the
circumferential direction so as to be brought close to the
protrusion 4 of the ring-shaped member 5.
[0040] Then, when the cap member 7 is rotated relative to the
sample container 2 by a predetermined angle, the protrusion 4
provided in the ring-shaped member 5 forms the through-hole 10 in
the film member 9 closing the opening 3b of the reagent container
3, as shown in FIG. 5. As a result, the reagent B sealed within the
reagent container 3 flows out into the sample container 2 via the
through-hole 10 in the film member 9, as indicated by the arrows,
so that the reagent B can be fed to and mixed with the biological
sample A contained within the sample container 2.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, at this point, the closing plate 12
provided in the ring-shaped member 5 closes the supply hole 11 of
the cap member 7 so as to shut off the internal space of the biopsy
sample container 1 from the external space.
[0042] Accordingly, the operator can mix the reagent B and the
biological sample A together without touching them or without
aspirating volatile substance.
[0043] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the operator
rotates the cap member 7 relative to the sample container 2 in the
same direction about the axis of the sample container 2, the
plate-shaped section 6 comes into close contact with the surface of
the film member 9 so that the through-hole 10 formed in the film
member 9 is closed again by the plate-shaped section 6. Thus, the
mixture of the reagent B and the biological sample A mixed within
the sample container 2 can be prevented from backflow into the
reagent container 3 via the through-hole 10 formed in the film
member 9.
[0044] Accordingly, the biopsy sample container 1 according to this
embodiment is advantageous in that the operator can mix the
biological sample A and the reagent B together in the sealed biopsy
sample container 1 by simply injecting the collected biological
sample A into the sample container 2 through the supply hole 11 by
using a syringe and then rotating the cap member 7 relative to the
sample container 2.
[0045] As an alternative to this embodiment in which the protrusion
4 used gradually tapers toward the pointed end 4a, the protrusion 4
may be inclined in one direction toward the pointed end 4a, as
shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C. Thus, the protrusion 4 has a recess 4b
formed on the proximal end thereof relative to the pointed end
4a.
[0046] Accordingly, when the protrusion 4 forms the through-hole 10
in the film member 9, as shown in FIG. 6B, while the plate-shaped
section 6 is brought close to the film member 9, as shown in FIG.
6A, the position where the protrusion 4 pierces the film member 9
is gradually shifted along the surface of the film member 9 so that
the gap between the through-hole 10 and the protrusion 4 is
widened.
[0047] As a result, the reagent B within the reagent container 3
can readily flow toward the sample container 2, as indicated by an
arrow, so that the reagent B can be mixed with the biological
sample A more quickly. Then, when the plate-shaped section 6 is
brought further closer to the film member 9, the plate-shaped
section 6 is brought into close contact with the surface of the
film member 9 around the entire periphery surrounding the
through-hole 10, as shown in FIG. 6C, whereby the through-hole 10
becomes closed by the plate-shaped section 6.
[0048] Accordingly, the mixture of the reagent B and the biological
sample A can be prevented from backflow into the reagent container
3.
[0049] Specifically, by using such a protrusion 4, the process for
formation of the through-hole 10 in the film member 9 and the
process for release of the reagent B as well as prevention of the
reagent B from backflow can be sequentially performed by simply
moving the plate-shaped section 6 provided with the protrusion 4 in
one direction relative to the film member 9.
[0050] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, a seal member 13, such as
an O-ring, may be disposed at a position surrounding the protrusion
4 on the surface of the plate-shaped section 6. Accordingly,
instead of bringing the plate-shaped section 6 into contact with
the surface of the film member 9, the seal member 13 is brought
into close contact with the entire periphery around the
through-hole 10 so that the through-hole 10 can be closed more
reliably.
[0051] As an alternative to the protrusion 4 that is inclined in
one direction, the protrusion 4 may include a recess 4b, which is
depressed in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction,
at the proximal end of the protrusion 4 that gradually tapers
toward the pointed end 4a, as shown in FIG. 8. Accordingly, after
the protrusion 4 forms the through-hole 10 in the film member 9 and
the part of the protrusion 4 with the maximum diameter passes
through the film member 9, the film member 9 is disposed at the
position of the recess 4b, so that the gap between the protrusion 4
and the through-hole 10 is increased, whereby the reagent B can
readily flow out therethrough.
[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reagent container 3 is
rotated relative to the sample container 2 about the longitudinal
axis of the sample container 2 so that both containers 2 and 3 are
moved relative to each other. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 9A
to 9C, the reagent container 3 may be moved relative to the sample
container 2 in the longitudinal direction of the sample container
2.
[0053] Specifically, the reagent B is contained in the reagent
container 3 and is sealed therein by the film member 9, and a
connection member 16 having the protrusion 4, a flat surface
section (contact member, resealing section) 14, and an inlet 15
toward the sample container 2 is fixed to the sample container 2.
As shown in FIG. 9A, after the biological sample A is contained
within the sample container 2, the sample container 2 and the
reagent container 3 are connected to each other by means of the
connection member 16 in a state where they are shut off from the
outside. Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the sample container 2 and the
reagent container 3 are relatively brought close to each other.
[0054] Accordingly, the through-hole 10 is formed in the film
member 9 by the protrusion 4, so that the reagent B within the
reagent container 3 is caused to flow into the sample container 2
via the through-hole 10 and the inlet 15, as indicated by arrows,
thereby facilitating the mixing process.
[0055] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9C, the sample container 2
and the reagent container 3 are brought close to each other as much
as possible, so that the flat surface section 14 provided at the
proximal end of the protrusion 4 is brought into close contact with
the surface of the film member 9, whereby the mixture of the
biological sample A and the reagent B can be prevented from
backflow into the reagent container 3.
[0056] Furthermore, instead of connecting the sample container 2
and the reagent container 3 in a relatively movable manner, the
protrusion 4 and the flat surface section 14 may be configured to
be movable relative to the film member 9 that separates the reagent
containing section 3a and the sample containing section 2a, which
are fixed to each other, from each other in a liquid-tight state,
as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C. As shown in FIG. 10B, after forming
the through-hole 10 in the film member 9 by using the protrusion 4
and supplying the reagent B to the biological sample A, the flat
surface section 14 may be brought into close contact with the
surface of the film member 9 so as to close the through-hole
10.
[0057] In this case, a syringe having the reagent containing
section 3a as a cylinder and the flat surface section 14 as a
piston may be configured, and the reagent B may be pushed out from
the through-hole 10 by the movement of the flat surface section
14.
[0058] The number and shape of the protrusions 4 are not limited,
and the through-hole 10 may be formed in the film member 9 by means
of an arbitrary number of protrusions 4.
[0059] From the above-described embodiments, the following aspects
of the present invention are derived.
[0060] An aspect of the present disclosure is a biopsy sample
container including: a sample containing section capable of
containing a biological sample; a reagent containing section
capable of containing a reagent; a sealing layer that separates the
reagent containing section and the sample containing section from
each other in a liquid-tight state; a seal-breaking section that
forms a through-hole in the sealing layer by movement relative to
the sealing layer; and a resealing section that closes the
through-hole formed by the seal-breaking section.
[0061] According to this aspect, the reagent is contained in the
reagent containing section, the biological sample is contained in
the sample containing section separated from the reagent within the
reagent containing section by the sealing layer, and the
seal-breaking section is moved relative to the sealing layer, so
that the through-hole is formed in the sealing layer by the
seal-breaking section. The reagent contained in the reagent
containing section flows into the sample containing section via the
through-hole so as to be mixed with the biological sample.
[0062] After the reagent and the biological sample are mixed
together, the resealing section closes the through-hole so that the
mixture of the reagent and the biological sample is prevented from
backflow into the reagent containing section via the through-hole,
thereby reducing a loss of the valuable biological sample.
[0063] In the above aspect, the reagent containing section may be
provided in a first container having an opening sealed by the
sealing layer, the sample containing section may be provided in a
second container having the seal-breaking section and the resealing
section, and the second container and the first container may be
connectable in a relatively movable manner.
[0064] Accordingly, the first container including the reagent
containing section containing the reagent and the second container
including the sample containing section containing the biological
sample are connected and are moved relative to each other, so as to
bring the seal-breaking section close to the sealing layer, which
seals the opening of the reagent containing section, and thus form
the through-hole in the sealing layer, whereby the reagent and the
biological sample can be mixed together. Moreover, by moving the
first container and the second container relative to each other,
the resealing section provided in the second container is brought
close to the through-hole so as to close the through-hole, whereby
the mixture of the reagent and the biological sample can be
prevented from backflow into the reagent containing section.
[0065] Furthermore, in the above aspect, the sealing layer may be a
film member disposed so as to close the opening of the first
container, the seal-breaking section may be a protrusion capable of
piercing the film member, and the resealing section may be a
contact member that is brought into close contact with a surface of
the film member throughout the entire periphery surrounding the
through-hole.
[0066] Accordingly, by moving the first container and the second
container relative to each other, the through-hole is formed in the
film member, which closes the reagent containing section, by means
of the protrusion provided in the second container, thus causing
the reagent to flow into the sample containing section in which the
biological sample is contained. Moreover, by further moving the
first container and the second container relative to each other,
the contact member provided in the second container is brought into
close contact with the surface of the film member surrounding the
through-hole, thereby closing the through-hole and preventing the
mixture from backflow into the reagent containing section.
[0067] Furthermore, the seal-breaking section may include a pointed
end that forms the through-hole in the sealing layer and a recess
that is disposed closer to a proximal end relative to the pointed
end and that is depressed in a direction intersecting a direction
in which the seal-breaking section moves relative to the sealing
layer.
[0068] Accordingly, the sealing layer and the seal-breaking section
are moved relative to each other so as to form the through-hole in
the sealing layer by means of the pointed end of the seal-breaking
section. Then, the sealing layer and the seal-breaking section are
further moved relative to each other in the same direction so that
the recess is aligned with the through-hole, thereby increasing the
opening area of the through-hole and allowing the reagent to flow
out readily from the reagent containing section.
[0069] The aforementioned aspects afford an advantageous effect in
that an operator can mix a reagent and a biological sample together
without touching them or without aspirating volatile substances and
in that a loss of the biological sample can be reduced.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0070] A biological sample [0071] B reagent [0072] 1 biopsy sample
container [0073] 2 sample container (second container) [0074] 2a
sample containing section [0075] 3 reagent container (first
container) [0076] 3a reagent containing section [0077] 3b opening
[0078] 4 protrusion (sealing-breaking section) [0079] 4a pointed
end [0080] 4b recess [0081] 6 plate-shaped section (contact member,
resealing section) [0082] 9 film member (sealing layer) [0083] 10
through-hole [0084] 14 flat surface section (contact member,
resealing section)
* * * * *